3/04/2016
- Trial Court Law Libraries
In Massachusetts and some other states, the right to vote is temporarily suspended while a person is incarcerated for a felony offense. They may vote again after they are released from prison.
In some states, even people convicted of a misdemeanor cannot vote while incarcerated.
In other states, the right to vote is revoked permanently if one is convicted of a felony.
A handy chart shows a state by state list of State Voting Felon Laws. An quick and readable overview of the laws of each state may also be found at nonprofitvote.org.
For general information about voting in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries “Law about Elections and Voting” web page is a great place to start.
Written by Gary Smith